7 Quick Takes

Posted on January 7, 2010 by elizabeth

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 1. Dude, it feels good to be a Californian. I loved visiting Chicago again but realized I'm no match for the Midwestern winter. I tend to take that kind of hostile climate personally. My sister text'd me after that big snow this week and was all: Too bad you guys aren't here! It's a beautiful winter wonderland today… And I text'd her back: Way to have a good attitude! I was nice enough to refrain from texting her a pic of my bare feet in the 75º degree weather we've been enjoying here. I love her and I love Chicago. But I'm wimp enough to admit that I don't think I'd survive those winters.

2. Revolutionary Road is the lamest movie ever. it was on HBO this past week and we watched it just to make fun of the ridiculous dialogue. What's pathetic about Hollywood is that they try to make fun of "traditional" families, except all they know are stereotypes. So, the dialogue ends up being hilariously cliche. Seriously, how many more movies can be made about "the hopeless emptiness" of the suburban, 50's housewife–that poor, pitiable creature who can't get an abortion or (sniff, sniff) take a year's sabbatical in Paris?

3. Book club update. I'm super excited about our upcoming discussion of "Evangelical Is Not Enough." Just a few thoughts: all opinions welcome. I think some folks felt like they needed to agree with the book's conclusions in order to participate. You don't. The whole reason I chose the book is because it's not preachy. It's just a good way to get to know the subject matter (liturgical worship) and discuss it among friends. Also, we're discussing the first chapter on January 27th, but we'll probably discuss 3 chapters per session after that. Sound good?

4. Back to life, back to reality. As much as I enjoyed the holidays, it was nice to get back into our school schedule. I celebrated by doing 15+ loads of laundry. And weighing myself on the scale. I take it back. I think we should extend the holidays indefinitely; so long as that means no laundry and no scales.

5. Crazy moms in minivans. Sometimes I think the scariest folks on the road are not Chicago cab drivers. Nope, the craziest drivers are moms in minivans yelling at their kids, drinking a Starbucks and texting at stoplights. Moms, we can do better. We owe it to the world to do better. DO NOT TEXT AND DRIVE!

6. I refuse to let my sons play football. I know, I know. Criminal, right? I dunno. Call me crazy but I think a lifetime of brutal, chronic pain is too high a price to pay for just…a game. My husband still suffers from 4 permanent injuries he sustained while playing football. Far as I'm concerned, the buck stops here. My sons will not pay that price. Period.

7. A conversation with author of "Crazy for God," Frank Schaeffer. Yep, I really got to chat with him! Frank Schaeffer, son of famous evangelical Dr. Francis Schaeffer, agreed to a phone interview and we ended up talking about his book, the Religious Right, fundamentalism, James Dobson, Glenn Beck and the apocalyptic attitudes that he says are "fueled by an adrenaline of hysteria." I'll be posting my interview with him on Monday. Be sure to check it out!

And for more fun Quick Takes, head on over to Conversion Diary.

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  • http://bucketofparts.blogspot.com Emily

    75 DEGREES?! I’m moving to CA promptly. It’s 2 degrees outside, I think (I’m in Ohio).

  • http://nomoredegrees.blogspot.com happy Geek

    I cannot wait to read the interview. I read Crazy for God this summer and I still think on it a lot.
    Football is not much of an issue with us in Canada, but I’m not letting my sons play hockey. Which is basically unpatriotic.

  • http://www.kathleenbasi.com Kathleen@so much to say, so little time

    My husband says the same thing about football. :) I don’t like football, so it’s no skin off my back.

    The interview with Frank Schaeffer sounds terrific. I’ll be looking forward to it!

    Oh yes, and as to Midweestern winters…those of us living through them tend to gripe, but really when it comes down to it, most of us would miss the seasons if we left. Spring, for instance–it actually changes the whole feel of the body; your skin, your blood, your brain feel different…and winter where I live, at least, is rarely white and usually doesn’t get too far below freezing. (Usually. Present weeks excepted.) So there is the potential for a stark, silent beauty when you can actually hear the wind, instead of leaves rustling. The only thing I really *don’t* like here is the brutal, 99% humidity and heat of summer. Which is why I would never, never, NEVER want to move southeast!!!!

  • http://www.seekingfaithfulnessblog.com Holly

    No way. Really? I just finished his book last night.

    I am obviously still thinking about it. I feel very sad that Frank experienced all that he did. It’s just a tragedy, really, and it helps to explain American fundamentalism (which I’m just beginning to try to understand.) I am in the process of looking back over a lifetime that I thought was hard but somewhat normal…and seeing that so much of it was indeed very messed up. I’m seeing just how superstitious so much of what we believe is. Very sad, very strange.

    There were parts to the book during which I simply had to shut the book and close my eyes and breathe for a minute. They were just so true. So true. I marked them for my husband to read tonight.

    (Ok, yes, Frank, I thought that some of your stories and some of your language was just graphically over the top. I now have some images forever burned in my mind that I would like to delete…HOWEVER….there is much truth in the book and I am so sorry for it. So sorry that it is indeed true – for it represents so much that is wrong with modern Christianity.)

    I am vested in this book, I wanted to read it, because my children use a curriculum (Worldview Studies by Cornerstone Curriculum) which is based upon the books/videos of the Schaeffer family. There’s actually much that is good about the curriculum – I love the classical literature and the study of art and music – but now I am rethinking many things. Rats. I thought I was all set for a highschool curriculum for my children. What to do, what to do?

    Looking forward to the interview.

  • http://papuagirlindallas.blogspot.com/ Kacie

    I desperately miss CHicago, but you’re right, I don’t miss the winter. :)

    Can’t wait to read the interview!

  • http://heart-and-home.net Ashleigh (Heart and Home)

    Revolutionary Road made us sick… stupid doesn’t even come close to describing the content. Definitely the worst movie I saw in 2009.

    I’m looking forward to the book club! I may be hit and miss in the discussion, being we’re moving the first week of Feb, but I’m going to read and do my best! I have NO clue what my opinion will be on it–I’m just questioning left and right–which is the exact reason I want to read.

  • http://trainstutusandtwizzlers.wordpress.com Corinne

    I am with you on the texting and driving thing… AND not letting my son play football. Ever. Just not worth it! Either one actually.

  • http://ayoungmomsmusings.blogspot.com/ Young Mom

    I totally agree with #6, and I threw out my scale 5 years ago. Weight is just a number, and one I don’t need to know.

  • http://www.musingsofacatholiclady.blogspot.com/ Michelle aka Catholic Lady

    I’m a midwesterner and I hate the midwest winters…can we please go back to having the mild winters we have had the past 11 years (that’s as long as I have lived in KC).

    I’ll be interested to read your book club. I’m currently participating in another one, but very intrigued by that book!

    Moms texting and driving? Seriously? Yikes.

  • http://www.lorimcktia.blogspot.com Lori McKenna

    I have several friend who played football all through college. They are now in their fifty’s and wish they could take it all back. They have so many aches and pains and physical problems caused from years of abusing their bodies. So, stay true to that one. Regarding those overwhelming socks – I let them accrue in their own container as they get washed. Then we have a movie night and everyone folds socks! Don’t forget , mothering is like shoveling snow in a snowstorm! Enjoying your blog – happy new year.